San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-12-06

the wool OF 20 sheep. At present values, this
addition would amount to about onc-third of
Its price upon its sale. The farmer receives
this less tariff profit, the wool leaves his
hands changed with precisely that SUN which
in all it's changes will adhere to II until Il
reaches the consumer when manufactured In
to cloth and other goods aud material for use,
It's cost is not only Increased To the extent Of
the farmers tariff profit, but further sum
has been added for the benefit of the manu-
facturer and the operation Of other tariffs
law. In meantime the day comes when the
farmer finds IL necessary TO purchase wool
cloIhing for himself aud family ard discovers
that he must not only return the profit on his
wool. but add considerable sum to meet
farther increases in cost caused by a tariff
duty on the manufacture.
In speaking of the increased cost 10 the con-
sumner of our home manufactures resulting
from a duty laid upon imported articles of the
same description, the fact is not overlooked
that competition among our domestic pro.
duccrs sometimes has the effect OF keeping the
price of their products below tho highest limit
allowed by such duty, but this competition 10
often strangled by trusts.
The considerations watch have been present.
ed touching our tariff laws are intended only
to enforce an earnest recommendation that
the surplus revenues of the government be
prevented by the reduction of our custom
duties, and at the same time to emphasize a
suggestion that in accomplishing this purpose
we may Observation-Disclosures on the people
by granting to them measure of relief from
tarin taxation in quarters where II is most
needed. This without any attack upon
No demand Is made that manufactures shall
fOregO all the benefits of governmental re-
gard. Careful and deliberate reform is now
afforded and none OF us should be unmindful
of Il time when an abused and rrtatcd PEG.
pie headless of those who have resisted timely
and reasonable relief may insist upon a radi-
cal and sweeping rectihcation of their wrongs.
The difficulty attending wise and "A fair
revision of our tariff laws is not under csti-
mated. II will require on the part of
congress, great labor and care
an nj md tH.,y,-
al contemplation of the subject
More than four thousand articles are subject
10 duty; many are hardly worth attention as
a subject of revenue. and they might he add
ed 10 the free list. The taxation of Injuries
presents no features of hardship. but the nee
essar les of life used and consumed by all the
people IN every home should he greatly
CheapCned.
1t is not apparent how the free importation
of raw material can have any injurious effect
upon our manufacturers; on the contrary il
would give them better cEance, in foreign
markets, with the manufacturers of Otner
countries who cheaper their wares by free
material, and our people might extend their
ideas beyond home consumption. TIE quCS.
ton thus presented for solution should be APP
preached in spirit higher than partisanship,
but both the great political parties now rep
resenTed in the COVE, nment by repeated
and'authOritative declarations, have condemned
the condition of out laws, which permit the
collection from the people of unnecessary
revenue, and have in the most solemn manner
promised correction.
our progress toward wise conclusion will
not he improved by dwelling upon the theories
o. protection and free trade. The question of
free trade is Absolutely irrevelant and the
persistent claim made in certain quarters that
all euOIts to relieve the people from unjust
and unnecessary taxation are schemes of So
called free traders Is msChieviOus and far re-
moved from any consideration for the public
good. The single ard plain duty which we
owe the people Is 70 reduce taxation to the
necessary expenses OF an economical opera
ton OF the government. and to restore to the
business of the country the money which we
hold In the treasury. These things can and
should be done with sefety 20 all our indus
tries without danger to the public to
opportunity for wOrKingmen and with benefit
to hem and all our people by cheapening
their means OF subsistence and increasing the
measure OF their comforts. The constitution
provides that the president shall from time to
TN" give TO the congress information of the
agreeable to follow the usual course at the
present time and TO call at
tcntion to the valuable accomplish
menIS of these departments during
the last fiscal year. But / am so much i'm.
pressed with the paramount Importance of
the subject 20 which this communication
has thus far been devoted that shall fOrcgO
the addition of any other topic and only urge
upon your immediate condition, the state of
the uniOn," as shown in the present condition
OF OR treasury and our general fiscal situs-
ton, upon which every element of our safety
and prosperity depends. The reports of the
heads of the departments which will be sub
united. contain free and explicit information,
touching the transactions of the business en-
trusted to them, and such recommendations
relating to legislation, in the public interest,
as they deem advisable. | ask for these re-
ports and recommendations a deliberate eX-
animation and action of the legislative branch
of the government.
There are other subjects not embraced in
the departmental reports demanding legisla-
tive consideration, and which should be glad
to submit. Some of them, however, have been
earnestly presented i'm previous messages,
and as to them beg leave to repeat former re-
concentrations. As the law makes no prOvi-
sion for any report from the department of
the state u brief history of the transactions
of that important department, together with
other matters which it may hereafter be
deemed essential to commend to the attention
of the congress, may furnish the occasion for
future communication.
(Signed) GROVER CLEVELAND,
Washington, ID. c., Dec. o, 1887.